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Patent 1314983 Summary

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Claims and Abstract availability

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(12) Patent: (11) CA 1314983
(21) Application Number: 1314983
(54) English Title: OPTICAL INFORMATION PROCESSING APPARATUS PROVIDED WITH MEANS FOR HOLDING AN OPTICAL SYSTEM IN A PREDETERMINED POSITION WHEN ABNORMALITY OCCURS TO TRACKING OR FOCUSING CONTROL
(54) French Title: APPAREIL OPTIQUE DE TRAITEMENT D'INFORMATION POUVANT MAINTENIR UN DISPOSITIF OPTIQUE DANS UNE SITUATION PREDETERMINEE EN CAS DE DEFAILLANCE DE LA COMMANDE DE CENTRAGE OU DE FOCALISATION
Status: Expired and beyond the Period of Reversal
Bibliographic Data
(51) International Patent Classification (IPC):
  • G11B 7/08 (2006.01)
  • G11B 7/085 (2006.01)
  • G11B 7/09 (2006.01)
  • G11B 19/04 (2006.01)
(72) Inventors :
  • KANDA, SHIGETO (Japan)
  • KITAI, HIROTO (Japan)
  • YAMADA, ETSUO (Japan)
(73) Owners :
  • CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
(71) Applicants :
  • CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA (Japan)
(74) Agent: SMART & BIGGAR LP
(74) Associate agent:
(45) Issued: 1993-03-23
(22) Filed Date: 1988-07-29
Availability of licence: N/A
Dedicated to the Public: N/A
(25) Language of filing: English

Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT): No

(30) Application Priority Data:
Application No. Country/Territory Date
62-193664 (Japan) 1987-08-04

Abstracts

English Abstract


ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
An optical information processing apparatus
comprises an optical head having an optical system
contained in a frame and effecting at least one of
recording and reproduction of information by applying
a light beam condensed by the optical system to a
recording medium, a detector for detecting at least
one of a tracking signal and a focusing signal, a
controller for moving at least a portion of the
optical system in accordance with at least one of
the tracking signal and the focusing signal, a detector
for detecting the position of the moving portion of
the optical system relative to the frame, a position
controller for controlling the moving portion so as to
be held in a predetermined position, on the basis of
the output signal of the position detecting detector,
a detector for detecting the abnormality of at least
one of the tracking and focusing controls, and a
switching device for alternatively operating the
tracking and focusing controller and the position
controller and rendering the tracking and focusing
controller inoperative and operating the position
controller when the abnormality of the tracking or
focusing controll is detected.


Claims

Note: Claims are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.


- 25 -
THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION IN WHICH AN EXCLUSIVE
PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:
1. An optical information processing apparatus
comprising:
an optical head having an optical system
contained in a frame and effecting at least one of
recording and reproduction of information by applying
a light beam condensed by said optical system to a
recording medium;
means for detecting a tracking signal
indicative of the positional deviation between the
applied position of said light beam and a track
provided on said medium;
tracking control means for moving at least
a portion of said optical system in accordance with
said tracking signal so that said light beam is
accurately applied onto the track;
means for detecting the position of the
moving portion of said optical system relative to said
frame;
position control means for controlling
said moving portion so as to be held in a predetermined
position, on the basis of the output signal of said
position detecting means;
means for detecting the abnormality of said
tracking control; and
switching means for alternatively operating
said tracking control means and said position control

- 26 -
means, said switching means being effective to render
said tracking control means inoperative and operate
said position control means when the abnormality of
said tracking control is detected.
2. An optical information processing apparatus
according to Claim 1, wherein said tracking control
means comprises means for driving the moving portion
of said optical system, and a circuit for feeding back
said tracking signal to said driving means.
3. An optical information processing apparatus
according to Claim 2, wherein said position control
means comprises a circuit for storing therein a signal
corresponding to the output of said position detecting
means when said moving portion is in said predetermined
position, a circuit for differentiating the stored
signal and the output signal of said position detect-
ing means, and a circuit for feeding back the output
of said differentiating circuit to said driving means.
4. An optical information processing apparatus
according to Claim 3, further comprising means for
comparing the output of said differentiating circuit
with a predetermined value, and means for moving said
optical head in the tracking direction when the output
of said differentiating circuit is greater than said

- 27 -
predetermined value.
5. An optical information processing apparatus
according to Claim 4, further comprising means for
counting the amount of movement of said optical head.
6. An optical information processing apparatus
according to Claim 1, wherein said predetermined posi-
tion is the position of said moving portion when the
operation of said tracking control means has been
started.
7. An optical information processing apparatus
according to Claim 1, wherein said position detecting
means comprises a light-emitting element mounted on
said frame, a reflecting member mounted on said
moving means for reflecting the light emitted from
said light-emitting element, and a light-receiving
element mounted on said frame for detecting the
light reflected by said reflecting member.
8. An optical information processing apparatus
comprising:
an optical head having an optical system
contained in a frame and effecting at least one of
recording and reproduction of information by applying
a light beam condensed by said optical system to a

- 28 -
recording medium;
means for detecting a focusing signal
indicative of the positional deviation in the direction
of the optic axis between the focus position of said
light beam and the surface of said medium;
focusing control means for moving at least
a portion of said optical system in accordance with
said focusing signal so that said light beam is
accurately focused to the surface of said medium;
means for detecting the position of the
moving portion of said optical system relative to said
frame;
position control means for controlling
said moving portion so as to be held in a predetermined
position, on the basis of the output signal of said
position detecting means;
means for detecting the abnormality of
said focusing control; and
switching means for alternatively operating
said focusing control means and said position control
means, said switching means being effective to render
said focusing control means inoperative and operate
said position control means when the abnormality of
said focusing control is detected.
9. An optical information processing apparatus
according to Claim 8, wherein said focusing control

- 29 -
means comprises means for driving the moving portion
of said optical system, and a circuit for feeding
back said focusing signal to said driving means.
10. An optical information processing apparatus
according to Claim 9, wherein said position control
means comprises a circuit for storing therein a
signal corresponding to the output of said position
detecting means when said moving portion is in said
predetermined position, a circuit for differentiating
the stored signal and the output signal of said
position detecting means, and a circuit for feeding
back the output of said differentiating circuit to
said driving means.
11. An optical information processing apparatus
according to Claim 8, wherein said predetermined posi-
tion is the position of said moving portion when the
operation of said focusing control means has been
strated.
12. An optical information processing apparatus
according to Claim 11, wherein said abnormality detecting
means outputs an abnormality detection signal when the
difference between said predetermined position and the
position of said moving portion detected by said posi-
tion detecting means is outside a predetermined range.

Description

Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.


q ~ 3
1 TITLE OF THE INVENTION
Optical Information Processing Apparatus Provided
with Means for Holding an Optical System in a
Predetermined Positicn When Abnormality Occurs
to Tracking or Focusing Control
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention
This invention relates to an apparatus for
effecting at least one of recording and reproduction
of information by applying a light beam to a recording
medium, and in particular to an optical information
processing apparatus provided with means for effecting
the tracking or focusing control of the light beam and
means for detecting the abnormality of said control.
Related Background Art
Various shapes such as a disc-like shape, a
card-like shape and a tape-like shape are known as
the forms of a medium on which a light is used to
record information and read the recorded information.
These optical information recording mediums include
ones which are capable of recording and reproduction
and ones which are capable of only reproduction.
Record1ng of information on a medium capable
of recording is accomplished by scanning information
tracks by a light beam modulated in accordance with
recording information and stopped down into a minute

1 3t 49~3
I spot-like shape, and information is recorded as an
optically detectable information bit row.
Also, reproduction of information from a
recording medium is accomplished by scanning the
information bit row of an information track by a
light beam spot of such a degree of predetermined
power that recording is not effected on the medium,
and detecting the light reflected from or transmitted
through the medium.
In an apparatus for information recording onto
the recording medium as described above and information
reproduction from such recording medium, a so-called
optical head is used for the application of a light
beam spot to the recording medium and for the detection
of the light reflected from or transmitted through the
medium. The optical head is movable relative to the
recording medium in the information track dir~ction
thereof and in a direction transverse to said track
direction, and the scanning of the information tracks
by the light beam spot is accomplished by said relative
movement. Also, in the optical head, a portion of an
optical system, for example, an objective lens, is held
for independent movement relative to the optical head
body in the direction of the optic axis thereof (the
focusing direction and in a direction orthogonal to
both the direction of the optic axis and the informa
tion track direction of the recording medium (the

_ 3 _ 1 3 I 4 98;~
1 tracking direction). Holding of the objective lens
is generally accomplished through a resilient member,
and the movements of the objective lens in said two
directions are generally driven by an actuator utiliz-
ing an el'ectromagnetic interaction.
Among the optical information xecording mediums
as described above, the card-like optical information
recording medium (hereinafter referred to as the
"optical card") has a yreat estimated demand as an
information recording medium of relatively great
capacity which is compact and light in weight and
convenient for carrying.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DR~WINGS
.
Figure 1 is a schematic plan view showing an
example of the optical card according to the prior art.
Figure 2 is a fragmentary enlarged plan view
of the recording surface of the aptical card shown in
Pigure 1.
Figure 3 is a schematic diagram showing the
general construction of an embodiment of the optical
information processing apparatus of the present
invention.
Figure 4 is a p~rspective view showing the
details of an optical head portion in the apparatus
shown in Figure 3.

1 3 1 ~983
Figure 5 is a block diagram showing the details
of an AT servo circuit in the apparatus shown in Figure
3.
Figure 6 is a schematic plan view showing the
manner of movement of a light beam spot on an optical
card during the re-draw-in after the out-of-AT servo
based on the present invention.
Figure 7 is a block diagram showing the
details of an AF servo circuit in the apparatus
shown in Figure 3.
Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings is a
schematic plan view of a postscript type optical
card, and Figure 2 of the accompanying drawings is
a fragmentary enlarged view thereof.
In Figure 1, a number of parallel information
tracks 4 extending in a direction LF are arranged on
the information recording surface of the optical card
1. Also, a home position 3 which provides the reference
position for the access to the information tracks 4
is provided on the information recording surface of
the optical card 1. The information tracks 4 are
arranged in the order of 4-1, 4~2, 4-3, ... in
succession from the home position 3. The information
tracks 4 include two kinds of tracks, i.e., tracks
on which information is already recorded and tracks

1 31 ~83
-- 5 -
1 on which information is not yet recorded. Information
can be recorded at any time on the information tracks
on which information is not yet recorded.
As shown in Figure 2, tracking tracks 5 (for
example, ~-l, 5-2, S-3) are provided between adjacent
tracks 4 (for example, 4-l and 4-2). These tracking
tracks are utilized as a guide for auto tracking (AT)
which controls a light beam spot so as not to deviate
from a predetermined information track when it scans
during the information recording and reproduction.
This AT servo is accomplished by detecting the
deviation of the light beam spot from an information
track 4 tan AT error) in an optical head, negatively
feeding back the detection signal to the tracking
actuator, moving an objective lens relative to the
optical head body in the tracking direction and causing
the light beam spot to follow a clesired information
track.
Now, if there is a great defact on the medium
or a shock is applied to the apparatus when information
is recorded or reproduced as described above, there
may occur out-o~-AT servo. In such case, usually,
the AT servo loop is once opened and after the defect
or the like has been passed, the AT servo is again
drawn in. In this method, however, the position
of the objective lens while the servo loop remains
opened cannot be known, and this has led to the

- 6 - 1 31 ~9~3
1 problem that durin~ the re draw-in, much time is required
for the beam spot to return to the initial track in
which the out-of-AT servo has occurred. Also, no
drive force is applied to the objective lens while
the servo loop remains opened and therefore, there
Aas been the danger that due to vibration, the objec-
tive lens collides against the frame of the optical
head and is damaged thereby.
On the other hand, in Japanese Laid-Open
Patent Application No.59-1427S7 (laid open on
August 16, 1984), there is proposed a method of
detecting the defect of said medium and holding a
tracking signal. However, again in this method,
i positional deviation occurs during the holding,
re-draw of AT into the initial track does not always
takes place after the holding is released. Accordingly,
in some cases, much time has also been required before
the beam spot returns to the initial track.
Also, the problem of out-of-servo as described
above has arisen not only in AT servo, but also in
auto focusing (AF) servo for accurately focusing the
light beam onto the medium surface.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
_._
It is the object of the present invention to
solve the above-noted problems peculiar to the prior
art and to provide an optical in~ormation processing

1 3 1 ~9~3
1 apparatus ln which when out-of-AT or AF servo occurs,
re-draw-in of the servo can be accomplished accurately
and quickly.
The above object of the present invention is
5 achieved by an optical information processing apparatus
comprising an optical head having an optical system
contained in a frame and effecting at least one of
recording and reproduction of information by
applying a light beam condensed by said optical
system to a recording medium, means for detecting
a tracking signal and/or a focusing signal, tracking
and/or focusing control means for moving at least a
portion of said optical system in accordance with
said tracking signal and/or said ~ocusing signal,
means for detecting the position of the moving
portion of said optical system :relative to said
frame, position control means for controlling said
moving portion so as to be held in a predetermined
position, on the basis of the output signal of said
position detecting means, means for detecting the
abnormality of said tracking and/or focusing control,
and switching means for alternatively operating said
tracXing and/or focusing control means and said
position control means and rendering said tracking
and/or focusing control means inoperative and
operating said position control means when the
abnormality of said tracking and/or focusing
control is detected.

1 31 a9~3
-- 8
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
The present invention will hereinafter be
described in detail with respect to an information
recording-reproducing apparatus using an optical card
with reference to the drawings.
Figure 3 is a block diagram schematically
showing the cons-truction of an embodiment of an
information processing apparatus according to the
present invention.
In Figure 3, the reference numeral 19 designates
a recording-reproducing apparatus to which is connected
a central processing unit ~CPU) 50 which is a high
rank control device. In the recording-reprodueing
apparatus 19, the reference numeral 14 denotes a
drive motor for introducing an optical card l into
the recording-reproducing apparatus through a convey-
ing mechanism, not shown, reciprocally moving it at
a predetermined recording-reproducing position in
the direction of arrow R and further discharging
it out of the apparatus.
The reference numeral 17 designates a light
beam applying optical system including a light source
by which light beam spots are formed on the optical
card 1 which is an optical information recording
medium during information recording and during
information reproduction. In the present embodiment,
during recording and reproduction, three light beam

~ 1 3 1 ~3
l spots are formed on the optical card l. The reEerence
numerals 22-24 denote photodetectors which can receive
the reflected lights of said three light beam spots
on the optical card 1. The reference numeral 15
5 designates an AF actuator for driving an objective
lens which is a part of the light beam applying optical
system 17 to thereby move the focused positions of the
light beam spots on the optical card surface in Z
direction, i.e., a direction perpendicular to -the
optical card surface, and accomplish AF servo, and
the reference numeral 16 denotes an AT actuator for
driving the objective lens which is a part of the
light beam applying optical system 17 to thereby
move the light beam spots on the optical card surface
lS in Y direction ~i.e., a direction orthogonal to both
R direction and Z direction) and accomplish AT servo.
An optical head 18 is constituted including
the light beam applying optical system 17, the photo-
detectors 22-24, the AF actuator 15 and the AT
actuator 16. The reference numeral 13 designates
a drive motor for moving the optical head in Y
direction and accessing the light beam spo-ts to a
desired track on the optical card.
The drive motor 13 and the drive motor 14
are controlled by a micro processing unit (MPU) 10.
The outputs of the photodetectors 22-24 are input
to a control circuit 11, and on the basis thereof,

- 10 - 131ll9~3
1 the control circuit controls the AF actuator 15 and
the AT actuator 16 to thereby accomplish AF servo and
AT servo. Also, the outputs of the photodetectors
22-24 are input to a modemodulating circuit 12,
whereby demodulation of the read information is
effected, and the demodulated signal is supplied to
the MPU 10. Also, the modemodulating circuit 12
modulates the information signal suppli.ed from the
MPU 10, and drives the light beam applying optical
system 17 in accordance with the modulated signal
to thereby accomplish information recording.
The MPU 10 is controlled by the CPU 50 and
effects e~change of data with the CP[J.
Figure 4 is a perspective view showing the
details of the optical head portion of Figure 3.
In Figure 4, the reference numeral 27
designates a semiconductor laser which is a light
source, the reference numeral 28 denotes a colli-
mator lens, the reference numeral 29 designates a
light beam shaping prism, the reference numeral 30
denotes a diffraction grating for dividing a light
beam, the reference numeral 20 designates a beam
splitter, the reference numeral 25 denotes a reflect-
ing prism, the reference numeral 26 designates an
objective lens, the reference numeral 21 denotes an
astigmatic condensing lens system, and the reference
numerals 22-24 designate said photodetectors.

1 3 1 4 '~ 8 3
1 A light beam emitted from the semiconductor
laser 27 enters the collimator lens 28 as a divergent
light beam and is made into a parallel light beam by
this lens. The parallel light beam is shaped into
S a prede-termined light intensity distribution by the
light beam shaping prism, and then enters the
diffraction grating 30, by which it is divided into
three effective light beams (0-order diffracted light
and +lst-order diffracted lights). These three light
beams then enter the beam splitter 20 and are
rectilinearly transmitted therethrough, and further
are reflected by the reflecting prism 25 and enter
the objective lens 26 and pass therethrough and are
converged thereby, and form three minute light beam
spots Sl (corresponding to the t]st-order diffracted
light)~ S2 (corresponding to the 0-order diffracted
light) and S3 (corresponding to the -lst-order
diffracted light) on the optical card 1. A number
of parallel information tracks 4 extending in R
direction are arranged on the optical card 1, and
tracking tracks 5 available as a guide for the
tracking in the caae of the scanning of the light
beam spots during information~recording and repro-
duction are disposed between the adjacent informa-tion
tracks.
The light beam spots S1 and S3 lie on the
adjacent tracking tracks 5 and the light beam spot

1 31 ~9~3
- 12 -
l S2 lies on the informatlon track 4 between said
tracking tracks. Thus, the reflected lights from
the light beam spots formed on the optical card
pass through the objective lens 26 and are thereby
S made substantially parallel, and are reflected by
the reflecting prism 25, and the further reflected
by the beam splitter 20 and are converged by the
condensing lens system 21, and enter th~ photo-
detectors 22, 23 and 24.
The basic construction of such an optical
card recording-reproducing apparatus is described,
for example, in Laid-Open Japanese Publication Nos.
62-239333, 62-239343 and 63-044322.
Figure 5 is a block diagram schematically
showing the AT servo circuit of the Figure 3 apparatus
which is a feature of the present invention. In
Figure 5, members identical to those in Figures 3
and 4 are given identical reference numerals.
In Figure 5, the reference numeral 31
designates the frame of the optical head. On this
frame, the objective lens 26 which is a part of
the optical head optical system is supported for
pivotal movement about a fulcrum 33 by a support
member 32. On the other hand, the support member
32 and the frame 31 are connected together through
a spring 34, whereby they are held in the neutral
position shown. An AT coil 35 is mounted on the

~ 1 31 ~9~3
- 13 -
I objective lens support member 32, and this coil,
with an unshown permanent magnet mounted on the
frame 31, constitute an AT actuator.
The optical head is provided with a position
5 detector 36 for detecting the position of -the objec-
tive lens 26 in the tracking direction relative to
the frame 31. This detector comprises, for example,
a light-emitting element (for example, a light-emittlng
diode) 36a and a light-receiving element (for example,
a photo-transistor) 36b mounted on the frame 31 and
a reflecting plate 36c mounted on the objective lens
support member 32, and can detect the position of
the objective lens in the tracking direction lY
direction) with the quantity of l:ight when the light
beam emitted from the light-emitt:ing element 36a
enters the light-receiving elemen1: 36b after it has
been reflected by the reflecting plate 36c.
The frame 31 is movable in the tracking
direction. The reference numeral 13 designates a drive
motor for moving the frame. The output shaft of the
drive motor 13 is connected to a screw shaft 37.
A pin member 38 projectedly provided on the frame
31 is in meshing engagement with the screw shaft
37, and the optical head can be driven in the
tracking direction by revolution of tlle motor 13.
In the present embodiment, tracking is
accomplished in the following manner.

1 31 ~3
- 14 -
I First, a control signal is supplied from a
control circuit 39 to a change-over switch 40l to
close the switch at b-c. In this condi-tion, the AT
servo loop is not closed and therefore, no current
flows to the AT coil 35 and the objective lens 26 is
positioned in its neutral position.
Subsequently, a position signal for moving
the objective lens 26 in the tracking direction is
output from a position signal generating circuit 52.
That is, the output of the position signal generating
circuit 52, with the output signal of the objective
lens position detector 36, is input to a differential
amplifier 53, the output of which is connected to the~
input terminal b of the change-over switch 40', and
since the position control loop is closed, a monoto-
nously increasing voltage signal is output, for
example, from the position signal generating circuit
52, whereby the objective lens 26 can be moved in
the tracking direction relative to the optical head
body 31~ Accordingly, this voltage signal is a signal
corresponding to the position of the objective lens
26 in the tracking direction when the objective lens
position control loop is closed. At this time, the
reflected lights from the light beam spots formed
on the optical card surface are detected by the
AT photodetectors 22 and 24 in the optical head
and the detection signals monitor an AT error

, 1 31 ~9~3
- 15 -
I signal formed through a dlfferential amplifier ~1, and
at a point of time whereat AT servo draw-in has become
possible, a control signal is output from the control
circuit 39 to thereby close the switch 40' at a-c.
Thus, the tracking error signal is negatively fed
back to the AT coil 35 via a phase compensation
circuit 42 and an AT coil driver 43, whereby AT
servo draw-in is effected.
At a point of time whereat AT servo draw-in
has been effected in the manner described above, the
position signal output from the position signal
genera-t.ing circuit 52 is stored in a position memory
circuit 45. As described above, this position signal
corresponds to the position of the objective lens at
the point of time whereat AT servo draw-in has been
effected. Thereafter, a signal corresponding to
the neutral position of the objective lens 26 is
output from the position signal generating circuit
52, whereby the output signal of the differential
amplifier 53 becomes a position signal corres-
ponding to the position of the objective lens, and
this position signal is input to a comparator 46.
After said AT servo draw-in, said position signal
is compared by the comparator 46 with the position
signal during the AT servo draw-in which is stored
in the position memory circuit 45. When the difference
between the current position signal and the position

"~ 131~q,~3
- 16 -
l signal during the AT draw-in exceeds a present value
on the basis of the skew of the information tracks
and the vibration from the outside, a move timing
signal e and a direction signal f are ou-tput to an
optical head move motor driver 47 and thus, the
screw shaft 37 is rotated by the drive motor 13
and the optical head is moved by a suitable distance
toward a desired quarter in the tracking direction.
The then amount of move of the motor 13 by the
mOtQr driver 47 is counted in an optical head move
count circult 48 with the track pitch as a unit
(i.e., as the number of transverse tracks) and the
count value from the time of said AT servo draw-in
is stored therein.
lS Also, when after the AT servo draw-in, a
kick operation of moving the objective lens 26 in
the tracking direction relative to the frame 31 and
moving the light beam spots to the adjacent informa-
tion tracks has been performed by unshown means, the
fre~uency of kick is input from a kick command
circuit 49 to a kick count circuit 51 and is
counted by the latter circuit. Also, when on the
basis of the kick operation, the difference between
the detected position signal and the position signal
during the AT draw-in exceeds said preset value,
movement of the optical head and the opt.ical head
move count accompanying it are effected in the same

- 17 - l 3 1 ~3
I manner as that described above.
In the present embodiment, after the AT servo
draw-in, an AT error signal is monitored in an out-
of-AT servo detect circuit 54 and if there is out-
of-AT servo, a servo change-over signal is output at
that point of time, and on the basis thereof, the
change-over switch 40' is closed at b-c and at the
same time, the compensation of the phase compensation
circuit 42 is changed over. Simultaneously therewith,
a signal for causing the signal of the objective lens
position during the AT servo draw-in which is stored
in the position memory circult 45 to be output is
output from the out-of-AT servo detect circuit
54 to the position signal generating circuit 52.
Thus, by the position control loop, the objective
lens 26 is moved to the ob~ective lens position
during said AT servo draw-in. The position to which
the then objective lens 26 is moved need not be the
position during the AT servo draw-in, but may be
other position, for example, the neutral position or
the like.
The respective count values are introduced from
the optical head move count circuit 48 and the kick
count circuit 51 into the MPU lO, and the frame 31
is moved in the tracking directlon by the drive motor
13 by a suitable distance calculated by the use of
these values and the desired track position.
. ,
'
.

``~ 131~ 9~3
~ 18 -
1 Finally, a control signal is supplied from the
control circuit 39 to the change-over switch 40' to
close this switch at a-c, thereby accomplishing AT
servo re-draw-in.
The out-of-AT servo can be detected by any
one of various methods. For example, there is a
method of calculating the speed of movement of the
objective lens 26 from the output signal of the
position detector 36, and comparing the calculated
value with a predetermined value. Here, when the
calculated value is greater than the predetermined
value, it is judged that there has been an abnormal
movement of the objective lens, and this is determined
as out-of-AT servo.
Figure 6 illustrates the movement of the light
beam spot on the optical card during the re-draw-in
after the out-of-AT servo as described above in the
present embodiment. In Figure 6, the reference
numeral 4 designates information tracks.
In the opt.ical head arrangement during the
first ~T servo draw-in, let it be assumed that the
neutral position of the objective lens is P. Let it
also be assumed that the track into which the AT
servo has been actuall~ drawn is s. In this case,
the objective lens position stored in the position
memory circuit 45 is s with said P as the reference
(in the case of Figure 6, two tracks).

19 - 1 31 49~3
1 Next, assuming that the kick operation has
been effected by an amount corresponding to n tracks,
the light beam spot moves to a track t. In the mean-
time, the optical head move drive motor 13 does not
operates and the neutral position of the objective
lens remains at P. Further, the kick operation is
effected by an amount corresponding to m tracks, and
the light beam spot moves to a track n. In the
meantime, the optical head move drive motor 13 lS
operated and the optical head is moved as a whole
by an amount corresponding to m tracks. Thus, the
neutral position of the objective lens becomes Q.
Let it be assumed that out-of-AT servo has
been detected when the light beam spot lies on the
track u. In this case, to draw the AT servo into
the track u again, change-over from the AT servo to
the position servo is first effected, and then the
ob]ective lens is moved to the position during the
first AT servo draw-in relative to the optical head
body. ~Thus, the light beam spot moves to a traok v.
In the meantime, the optical head is not moved and
therefore, the neutral position of the objective lens
remains at Q. Subsequently, the optical head move
drive motor 13 lS operated and the optical head is
moved as a whole by an amount corresponding to n
tracks, and at this point of time, the AT servo
draw-in is effected and the AT servo re-draw-in

`~ - 20 - l 3 1 ~q~3
l is effected to the track u.
As can be seen from the foregoing description,
in ths present embodiment, the optical head is suitably
moved with the objective lens being held at a desired
position and the AT servo re-draw-in is effected and
therefore, accurate and quick AT servo draw-in to a
desired track becomes possible.
While the present invention has been described
with respect to the AT servo, the present invention is
also applicable to the AF servo. This will hereinafter
be described.
Figure 7 is a block diagram schematically
showing the AF servo circuit of the apparatus shown
in Figure 3. In Figure 7, members identical to those
in Figures 3 and 4 are given identical reference
numerals.
In the preSeDt embodiment, focusing is done in
the following manner.
First, a control signal is supplied from a
control circuit 61 to a change-over switch 62 to close
this switch at b-c. In this condition, the AF servo
loop is not closed and therefore, no current flows
to an AF coil 63 and the objective lens is in its
neutral position. Also, a control signal is supplied
from the control circuit 61 to a change-over switch
73 to close this switch at a-c.
Subsequently, an operation command signal is
. .

- 21 - 131~9~3
1 supplied from the control circuit 61 -to an AF draw-in
driver circuit 64, from which a signal for applying
to the AF coil a driving current which will move the
objective lens greatly in the foc~sing direction is
supplied to an AF coil driver 65 via the change-over
switch 62. At this time, the reflected light from
the light beam spot formed on the optical card
surface is detected by an AF photodetector (four-
division photodetector) 23 in the optical head and
this detection signal monitors an AF error signal
formed via a differential amplifier 66, by an AF
detect circuit 67. This AF detect circuit outputs
a signal at an exact point of time of in-focus, and
on the basis of the signal from this circuit, a
control signal is output from the control circuit
61 to close the change-over switch 62 at a-c. Thus,
the AF error signal output from the differential
amplifier 66 is negatively fed back to the AF coil
63 via the change-over switch 73, the phase compensa-
tion circuit 68, the change-over switch 62 and the
AF coil driver 65, whereby AF servo draw-in is
effected.
At the point of time whereat the AF servo
draw-in has been effected in the manner described
above, a detected position signal output from a
detector 69 for detecting the position of the
objective lens in the focusing direction which is

1 31 ~9~3
- 22 -
1 similar in construction, for example, to the afore-
mentioned position detector 36 is amplified by an
amplifier 70 and stored in a position memory circuit
71. This position signal is also input to a differential
amplifier 74. From the position memory circuit 71,
the stored position signal is input to the differential
amplifier 74 via a D/A converter 75. The output of
this differential amplifier is connected to the input
terminal b of the change-over switch 73.
In the present embodiment, after the AF servo
draw-in, the detection of abnormal AF by the comparison
with the position signal during the AF servo draw-in
stored in the position memory circuit 71 is effected
in the abnormal AF detect circuit 72. If on the
basis of the vibration or the like from the outside,
the difference between the detected position signal
and the position signal during the AF draw-in ex~eeds
a preset AF servo operable range, an abnormal AF
detection slgnal is supplied to the control circuit 61.
When out-of-AF is thus detected by the abnormal
AF detect circuit 72, a control signal is output from
the control circuit 61 to close the change-over switch
62 at b-c and close the change-over switch 73 at b-c.
Thereby, an AF servo off condition is brought about,
and the position servo based on the current position
of the objective lens detected by the objective lens
position detector 69 and the position of the objective

- 23 - 1 31 ~9~3
1 lens during the AF servo draw-in stored in the position
memory circuit 71 is effected. In this position servo,
the position stored in the position memory circuit 71
is regarded as the target value.
Thus, by the position servo, the objective
lens is moved to the objective lens position during
said AF servo draw-in. The position to which the
then objective lens is moved need not be the position
during the AF servo draw-in, but may be other suitable
position stored in advance in the position memory
circuit 71, for example, the neutral position.
Finally, a control signal is supplied from
the control circuit 61 to the change-over switches
62 and 73 to close these switches at a-c, whereby
AF servo re-draw-in is efected.
As can be seen from the foregoing description,
in the present embodiment, the AF servo re-draw-in
is effected with the objective lens held at the in-
focus position or a desired position near it and
therefore, ~ccurate and quick AF servo draw-in
becomes possible.
According to the present invention as described
above, when there is abnormal tracking or abnormal
focusing, change-over is immediately effected to
the position servo and the movable portion of the
optical system of the optical head is held at a
prestored predetermined position, and then AT

1 3 1 4983
- 24 -
1 servo re~draw-in or AF servo re-draw-in can be effected
and therefore, accurate and quick servo re-draw-in
becomes possible.
~he present invention permits various applications,
besides the above-described embodiments. For example,
the embodiments have been shown with respect to a
case where the recording and reproduction of informa-
tion are eEfected by the same apparatus, but the
present invention is also applicable to an apparatus
which effects only recording or reproduction.
Further, the shape of the medium is not limlted to
the card-like shape shown in the embodiments, but
may be any shape such as a disc-like shape or a
tape-like shape. The present invention covers all
of such applications without departing from the
scope thereof as defined in the appended claims.
.

Representative Drawing
A single figure which represents the drawing illustrating the invention.
Administrative Status

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Please note that "Inactive:" events refers to events no longer in use in our new back-office solution.

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Event History

Description Date
Time Limit for Reversal Expired 2008-03-25
Letter Sent 2007-03-23
Inactive: IPC from MCD 2006-03-11
Grant by Issuance 1993-03-23

Abandonment History

There is no abandonment history.

Fee History

Fee Type Anniversary Year Due Date Paid Date
MF (category 1, 5th anniv.) - standard 1998-03-23 1998-01-15
MF (category 1, 6th anniv.) - standard 1999-03-23 1999-01-28
MF (category 1, 7th anniv.) - standard 2000-03-23 2000-01-25
MF (category 1, 8th anniv.) - standard 2001-03-23 2001-03-12
MF (category 1, 9th anniv.) - standard 2002-03-25 2002-01-11
MF (category 1, 10th anniv.) - standard 2003-03-24 2003-02-18
MF (category 1, 11th anniv.) - standard 2004-03-23 2004-02-18
MF (category 1, 12th anniv.) - standard 2005-03-23 2005-02-08
MF (category 1, 13th anniv.) - standard 2006-03-23 2006-02-07
Owners on Record

Note: Records showing the ownership history in alphabetical order.

Current Owners on Record
CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
Past Owners on Record
ETSUO YAMADA
HIROTO KITAI
SHIGETO KANDA
Past Owners that do not appear in the "Owners on Record" listing will appear in other documentation within the application.
Documents

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Document
Description 
Date
(yyyy-mm-dd) 
Number of pages   Size of Image (KB) 
Cover Page 1993-11-10 1 17
Claims 1993-11-10 5 141
Abstract 1993-11-10 1 30
Drawings 1993-11-10 4 90
Descriptions 1993-11-10 24 707
Representative drawing 2002-03-28 1 9
Maintenance Fee Notice 2007-05-07 1 172
Fees 1999-01-28 1 33
Fees 2000-01-25 1 31
Fees 1998-01-15 1 31
Fees 2002-01-11 1 33
Fees 2001-03-12 1 34
Fees 1997-01-15 1 27
Fees 1996-01-15 1 32
Fees 1995-01-18 1 36
PCT Correspondence 1992-12-07 1 29
Examiner Requisition 1992-02-17 2 54
Examiner Requisition 1991-11-05 2 81